This is the time of year we are asked to give
more to those with out. And its a time we
gather for the poor to give out gifts for the Christmas
season.

I know a lot about being poor because I've been
there. Many times. When
I was little most of my friends were poor, too, so I didn't feel
sorry formyself very often. People were always giving us things,
such asoutgrown clothes, used toys, and home-grown produce.

Of
course, it's wonderful to donate to charity clothes you've outgrown.When
I have an item I no longer need, I always try to find it a goodhome
instead of simply tossing it in the garbage. But giving upsomething you
don't want doesn't require much thought and isn'tparticularly
generous.

When
you're poor, you accept any gift with a smile and a thank-you. But your true
gratitude for the donation depends a lot on the attitude ofthe giver. Some
people embarrass you by making a big production aboutgiving you
cast-off clothing. They make you feel as if they are betterthan you in
some way just because they have more money.

A
few years ago my husband got really sick, and was unable to work for about 6
mos. Myself unable to work due to having a baby
any day. A sweet church lady brought us a big box of groceries. If you've never
gotten a box from a food drive let metell you
what's usually in them. People donate practical, cheap foodthat won't spoil.
That means things such as spaghetti, peanut butter, crackers, and canned
vegetables. After all, if you're truly hungry you don't worry about whether
something actually tastes good, right? All those foods were in the box, but
there was something else, too-a large bottle of soda. Apparently some kind soul
had realized that the poor like to have a party as much as everyone else.

Whenever
I donate something to a food drive, I remember that soda andtry to give
something a little extra and impractical, like snack foodsand candy.
Giving away that dented can of pea soup or that sweatshirtwith the big
stain on the front is fine, but a generous person iswilling to
spend a little money to give someone a gift they will reallyenjoy.
The ones in need like the same things other people do,
only they don'thave the means to get them.